Cavaliers rookie Anthony Bennett dealing with asthma, sleep apnea

CLEVELAND – Cavaliers rookie forward Anthony Bennett, the top pick in this year's NBA draft, has asthma and sleep apnea.

Cleveland coach Mike Brown revealed Bennett's conditions Thursday night before the Cavs hosted the Detroit Pistons in an exhibition game. Bennett's asthma was not widely known and obviously did not prevent the Cavs from taking him in June's draft.

Bennett has struggled during some workouts and in games, which had been attributed to him not being able to work out as much this summer after undergoing shoulder surgery in May. But Brown said Bennett also deals with asthma and wears a mask at night for his sleep apnea.

The 6-foot-8, 259-pound Bennett averaged 10 points and 6.3 rebounds in his first three NBA preseason games. He's coming off the bench for Brown, and made his first shot — a 3-pointer — against the Pistons.